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| December 09, 2006 | Saturday | Ziqa'ad 17, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Pakistan successfully test-fires new version of its short-range, nuclear-capable missile ISLAMABAD, Dec 9(AP) Pakistan successfully test-fired a new version of its short-range, nuclear-capable missile on Saturday, a Pakistani military statement said. The short range ballistic missile Hatf III (Ghazanvi), which was launched from an undisclosed location in the country, had a range of 290 kilometers, and hit its target, the statement said. The missile test was witnessed by the chief of Pakistan's air force, Air Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed. The missile's ``launch came at the culmination phase of the training exercise, which validated the operational readiness of the Strategic Missile Group (SMG) equipped with Ghaznavi Missiles,'' the statement said. It quoted Ahmed as saying Pakistan should be proud of its defences and nuclear deterrence, and he praised the country's military and civilian personnel who ``made it possible for Pakistan to fully consolidate and make operational its nuclear capability in the last seven years.'' (First Posted @ 10:10 PST, Updated @ 11:30 PST)
Law and order in Balochistan has improved: Musharraf QUETTA Dec 9 (PPI): President General Pervez Musharraf claimed Saturday that the overall law and order situation in Balochistan had improved significantly, while at the same time also acknowledged that more improvement was needed. Talking to journalists here, the president said that a number of anti-development elements were involved in terrorist activities at the behest of foreign hands. He said that government would keep on dealing with such elements sternly. He also said that the government doors were open for talks with all leaders and political forces who wish for peace and development in Balochistan. He announced that any ‘fararri’ or miscreant who would lay down his weapons would be given amnesty. He also announced that the annual development programme for Balochistan would touch the Rs.30 billion mark, which would be further enhanced. He also said that he would call a meeting with the students of University of Balochistan. (Posted @ 18:54 PST)
Good governance best safeguard against corruption: PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Dec 9 (PPI) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday said the best and most effective safeguard against corruption in the country is good governance. Addressing a seminar on the issue of corruption arranged by the National Accountability Bureau here, he presented a nine point strategy to end corruption in the country, which included the rule of law, judicious division of power, effective implementation of rules, ensuring social justice, merit-oriented bureaucracy, ensuring punitive accountability through implementation of laws with zero tolerance, decentralization to improve service delivery, transparency and concerted action by the all stakeholders within the country and at international levels. (Posted @ 19:22 PST)
West Indies vow to come out fighting against Pakistan LAHORE, Pakistan, Dec 9 (AFP) West Indies captain Brian Lara said his team would come out fighting in the third day-night match against Pakistan in Lahore on Sunday. "We knew from the start we can win this series. Even though we have lost one game we will try and come (down) tough on Pakistan," he said. Lara suffered slight knee niggles in nets on Saturday but he hoped to recover after treatment. Coach Bob Woolmer said his team respected the West Indies and would not weaken their grip. (Posted @ 22:08 PST)
Pakistani rights activists denounce disappearances ISLAMABAD, Dec 9 (Reuters) Pakistani human rights activists protested in the capital, Islamabad, on Saturday to demand action over what they said was the disappearance of hundreds of government opponents. "Every week, we are getting something like three new incidents ... We have been able to verify, to date, 250 people --from 2002 up 'til now," Asma Jahangir, head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said at the rally. Several relatives of missing people joined dozens of rights activists for the protest outside parliament. (Posted @ 21:58 PST)
Iran ready to help US withdraw from Iraq MANAMA, Dec 9 (AFP) Iran is ready to help the United States withdraw its troops from Iraq if it is ready to “changes its attitude”, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told a Gulf security conference in Bahrain Saturday. "When they have announced that they have decided to withdraw from Iraq, then we will explain how the region can be helped," Mottaki said. (Posted @ 20:12 PST)
Palestinian leadership urges early elections RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec 9 (AFP) The executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization recommended Saturday that Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas call early parliamentary and presidential elections to resolve a spiraling political crisis, committee members said. (Posted @ 19:54 PST)
Tiger rebels say 45 killed in Sri Lanka fighting COLOMBO, Dec 9 (AFP) At least 45 people, including 15 civilians and 30 Sri Lankan troops, were killed in heavy fighting between government troops and Tamil Tigers in northeastern Sri Lanka on Saturday, the guerrillas said, adding that only seven of their personnel were wounded in the attacks. The defence ministry claimed however that only six security personnel were wounded in the clashes. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)
Nine killed in fresh occupied Kashmir violence SRINAGAR, occupied Kashmir, Dec 9 (AFP) Nine people were killed in occupied Kashmir violence between late Friday and Saturday, police said. A militant, an Indian army soldier and a civilian were killed during fighting in southern Poonch district Saturday, police said. Police said a militant and a policeman were also killed Saturday during a gunbattle on the outskirts of Srinagar. Indian troops shot dead two suspected militants late Friday during an alleged gunbattle in southern Doda district, police said. In other violence, two civilians were killed in the districts of Baramulla and Anantnag late Friday, police added. (Posted @ 19:48 PST)
Pakistan arrests 18 Indian fishermen ISLAMABAD, Dec 9 (AFP) Pakistani coast guards arrested 18 Indian fishermen and apprehended three fishing boats Friday for poaching in its waters in the Arabian Sea, an official statement here said Saturday. (Posted @ 19:44 PST)
India's Sonia Gandhi celebrates 60th birthday NEW DELHI, India, Dec 9 (AFP) Sonia Gandhi, head of India's ruling Congress party, celebrated her 60th birthday Saturday. (Posted @ 19:40 PST)
US Congress approves landmark Indian nuclear deal WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (AFP) The US Congress early Saturday gave its final approval to landmark legislation allowing export of civilian nuclear fuel and technology to India for the first time in 30 years. The legislation was now expected to be signed by Bush Monday into law. (First Posted @ 14:00 PST Updated @ 19:38 PST)
Police seize Turkish Qaeda leader ISTANBUL, Dec 9 (Reuters) Turkish police detained a lawyer who identified himself as the leader of al Qaeda in Turkey and nine other suspects, Anatolian News Agency reported on Saturday. Police also seized a compact disc set to explode when inserted into a computer -- the first time police had got hold of such a device, the state-run agency said. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Three killed in car bomb blast in Iraq's Mosul MOSUL, Iraq, Dec 9 (Reuters) At least three civilians were killed and three wounded when a car bomb exploded in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, police said. (Posted @ 16:20 PST)
Asian Games hockey: Pakistan thrash Taiwan 9-0 DOHA, Dec 9 (AFP) Pakistan thrashed Taiwan 9-0 in the Asian Games field hockey tournament on Saturday: Results -- Group A: Pakistan 9 (Muhammad Imran 20, 23, 58, Adnan Maqsood 28, 47, Shakeel Abbasi 30, 67, Mohammad Zubair 42, Tariq Aziz 61), Taiwan 0(H-t: 4-0); Japan 12 (Hiroki Sakamoto 5, Takahiko Yamabori 9, 25, 28, 51, 53, 61, Toshiaki Fukuda 12, 30, 56, 70, Kazuhiro Tsubouchi 45), Hong Kong 1 (Akbar Ali 69), (H-t: 6-0} (Posted @ 14:40 PST)
Cricket-Bangladesh restrict Zimbabwe to 193 in final ODI DHAKA, Dec 9 (Reuters) Bangladesh restricted Zimbabwe to 193 for eight in their 50 overs in the fifth and final one-day international on Saturday to remain on course for a series sweep. (Posted @ 14:10 PST)
Two killed in clash in Indonesia's Papua province JAKARTA, Dec 9 (Reuters) Two people including an Indonesian military officer were killed in a clash between security forces and separatists in the remote eastern province of Papua Friday, a military official said Saturday. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Militants gundown five including two Afghan female teachers ASADABAD, Afghanistan, Dec 9 (AFP) Militants barged into a house in eastern Kunar province’s Narang district and shot dead five members of a family, including two female teachers late Friday, police said Saturday. Two other family members, a boy and a young woman, were wounded in the attack. (Posted @ 13:05 PST)
Three die as inmates storm out of Mexico jail CANCUN, Mexico, Dec 9 (Agencies) Dozens of prisoners in a jail near Cancun city smashed padlocks on their cell doors, punched guards and escaped Friday in a riot that left at least three dead, local officials said. Hundreds of inmates at the jail in the southern state of Quintana Roo began protesting after police transferred some 40 prisoners to a different jail near the state capital Chetumal. Some 85 prisoners escaped and 17 were still being sought, officials said. (Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Possible US sale to Pakistan of airborne early warning system WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (AFP) The Pentagon said Friday it has notified Congress of a possible sale to Pakistan of three surplus P-3 aircraft with airborne early warning systems. The Pentagon estimated the value of such a sale at as high as 855 million dollars. It said Pakistan intends to use the aircraft with the E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning System for its naval forces. The refurbished aircraft would boost Pakistan's ability to guard its shores and borders against the movement of terrorists and drug traffickers, it said in a statement. (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by five wickets CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Dec 9 (AFP) New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the first cricket Test match, which ended on the third day at Jade Stadium here Saturday. Scores: Sri Lanka 154 and 170, New Zealand 206 and 119 for five. The second and final Test starts in Wellington on Friday, December 15. (Posted @ 09:50 PST)
Saudi intelligence chief wants US pullout timetable for Iraq MANAMA, Dec 9 (AFP) Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud called Friday for a timetable for US troop withdrawal from Iraq, warning their presence was breeding terrorists. "There is no question that the continuation of the foreign presence, including in Iraq, will give a push for instability and mainly contribute to create more terrorists," he told a Gulf security conference in Manama. He also said Israel's nuclear arsenal may provoke an arms race in the Middle East in which even moderate states could get involved and "the fact that Israel has nuclear weapons is the most dangerous threat against Gulf security." (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
Rice defends Mideast policy after criticism by Baker report WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (AFP) US Secretary of State Condeleezza Rice defended Friday her handling of Middle East policy, rejecting criticism in the Iraq Study Group report of her refusal to bring Syria and Iran into talks on ending the chaos in Iraq. "None of us see the situation in Iraq as favorable, we all see it as extremely difficult," Rice said during a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, putting the blame on Al-Qaeda and other extremists stoking sectarian violence to "undermine the democratic developments" in the country. She rebuffed the bipartisan panel's strong recommendation to open direct talks with Iran and Syria. (Posted @ 09:20 PST)
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